Earth-mover blade with vibrating attachment



June 15, 1948. E, w, us'r 2,443,492

EARTH MOVER BLADE WITH VIBRATING ATTACHMENT Filed Oct. 13, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

[Yldwari/Z Mix 52a m a m E. W. AUSTIN EARTH MOVER BLADE WITH VIBRATING ATTACHMENT June 15, 1948.

Filed Oct. 13, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

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EARTH OVER BLADE WITH VI'BRA'IING ATTACHMENT Filed Oct. 13, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 15, 1948. E. w. AUSTIN EARTH "OVER BLADE WITH VIBRATING ATTACHMENT Filed Oct. 13, 1944 5 Sheets-Sht 4 [l v u .nflllll June 15, 1948. E. w. AUSTIN EARTH MOVER BLADE WITH VIBRATING ATTACHMENT Filed Oct. 13, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet s V O .a m .m. w W i. w w .3 I w Q E R\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\k\\\ g @YX! M 5 MUM/w Patented June 15, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EARTH-MOVER BLADE WITH vrBRATnw ATTACHMENT Ellsworth W. Austin, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as-

signor to La Plant-Choate Manufacturing Co., Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application October 13, 1944, Serial No. 558,559

13 Claims. (01. 37-141) My present invention relates to an earth mover blade for scrapers and the like having an attachment thereon for imparting vibrations to the leading edge of the blade to thereby facilitate passage of the blade through the earth (as when loading'the scraper) and thereby minimizing the tractor power required for the scraping operation.

One object of theinvention is to provide a vibrating attachment which can be readily built into a scraper or attached to an existing scraper, and which includes a cutting edge pivoted to the scraper bottom and a means to vibrate the cutting edge.

Another object is to provide an arrangement wherein only the cutting edge member is vibrated, thereby eliminating the necessity of vibrating the entire scraper bowl, since it is necessary to vibrate only the cutting edge thereof to aid materially in the filling of the scraper and in a reduction of the tractor power required for the filling operation.

Another object is to provide a cutting blade made in sections with relatively small vibrating mechanisms, such as those used in pavement breaking, which can be readily mounted beneath the bottom of the scraper bowl and one attached to each of the blade sections for vibrating it.

A further object is to provide a cutter blade which is either pivoted or mounted on parallelogram links for vibration and a rooting action to facilitate the fiow of earth into the bowl as well as the parting of the earth at the forward edge of the scraper as it advances.

Still a further object is to provide a modification wherein electric power means is used for imparting-impact blows to the cutting edge for vibrating it.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device whereby the objects-contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an earth mover with my vibrating attachment thereon;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the earth mover;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing a front elevation of the cutting edgeand r the sectional arrangement thereof;

Fig. 4 is a further enlarged sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig, 2 showing the pivoting arrangement for the cutting edge;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a portion 2 of Fig. 1 showing a cover plate removed and a portion of thepneumatic impact means for vibrating the blade in section;

, Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view through the pnuematic impact mechanism and the-blade as taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan view somewhat similar to Fig. 5 showing a modified construction using a parallelogram link arrangement rather than a pivoted arrangement;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7

Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional views on the respective lines 9-9 and l0-'lll of ,Fig. 8 showing the link arrangement;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line l2--l2 of Fig. 11.

On the accompanying drawings I have used the reference character S to indicate a scraper bowl. The scraper bowl S has a floor I0, side plates I2 and a back wall M. The side plates l2 are supported by a rear axle it having wheels l8 thereon and a front axle 20 having wheels 22 thereon. The connection between the axle 20 and the side plates [2 is a frame 24 pivoted to the scraper sides at 26. Pivotal motion can be imparted to the side plates relative to the frame 24 for the purpose of lowering the scraper to the digging position of Fig. 2 or elevating it to a carrying position, and this includes links 28 and a cable and pulley system including a cable 30, as fully explained in my copending application Serial No. 533,750, filed May 2, 1944 and since issued as Pat. No. 2,395,244.

My present invention relates to a means for vibrating the forward edge of the scraper bottom l0, and for this purpose I provide the forward or cutting edge of the scraper bottom in the form of cutting edge members 32. These are .pivotally related to the scraper and, in efiect, form a sectlonal cutter blade, and there is mechanism to 5 34 extends along the scraper bottomand is secured thereto as by countersunk bolts 35. These bolts also secure a plate 38 in position, and the angle bar 34 and the plate 38 have socket-like ribs 40 and 42 extending throughout their lengths.

These cooperate to form a socket which receives a rod-like bar 44 having a flange 46 depending therefrom. The bar 44 and fla e 46 may be termed carrier means. The cutting edge. 32 is secured to the flange 46 as by countersunk bolts 46. The edge 32 is preferably symmetrical about the bolts 48 so that it has two cutting edges, and the second one can be used when the first one becomes dull.

A reinforcing angle 56 extends along the flange I 46 and attached thereto is a pair of perforated ears 52 for supporting a pivot pin 54. The pivot pin 54 passes through an impact rod 56 which is part of a pneumatic impact mechanism or motion imparting means of the paving breaker type, shown generally at A. Briefly, the mechanism A includes a piston 58 within a cylinder 66, which piston is adapted to strike a hammer member 62, and it engages the impact rod 56 with a hammer blow each reciprocation of the piston. The piston is automatically operated by compressed air supplied from a pipe or hose 64 and the reciprocations are controlled by a flutter valve 66 in the usual manner for devices of this character. The exhaust from the cylinder 66 is shown at 68.

The impact mechanism A has a lug 16 on its head which is mounted on a pivot pin 12. The pivot pin I2 is supported by a pair of perforated ears I4 welded to a cross-flange 16' beneath the bottom 16. This cross-flange forms a back wall for a compartment IS in which the impact mechanism A is mounted, and a plate 86 forms the bottom thereof. The top of the compartment I8 is closed by a cover plate 82 which has been removed from Fig. 5, and is normally secured in position as by countersunk screws 84.

Phe air supply hose 64 may extend to the tractor pulling the earth mover whereon is mounted an air compressor, or a compressor may be directly mounted on the scraper itself. A suitable control valve, of course; would be provided so that the operator could cause the vibrating attachment to perform its function only when the scraper is digging, as it is not needed at other times.

In Figs. 7 to 10 I show a modification wherein a cutting edge 32a is mounted on a carrier plate 46a and the carrier plate, instead of being hinged, as in Fig. 6, is supported on parallelogram links 66 and 88. These are preferably arranged in pairs, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and the pivot pins therefor are shown at 96, 62, 94 and 54a. The

pivot pins 96 and 94 are supported by stationary perforated cars 98 and I66, while the pivot pin 62 is supported by perforated ears I62 secured to the carrier plate 46a. The pin 54a is connected to the impact rod 56a of a pneumatic impact mechanism A, similar to the mechanism A in Fig. 6. The only difference in this figure is the connection ofthis mechanism to the flange 16a. by means of a cap screw 11 instead of the pivot pin I2 of Fig. 6. With the type of support for the cutting edge shown in Fig. 8 the motion is forwardly and rearwardly in substantially the plane of the scraper bottom instead of swinging upwardly and forwardly as in Fig. 6.

In Figs. 11 and 12 I show a further modification wherein the impact rod 561) is made much longer and extends into an impact device B interposed between the impact rod and an electric motor M. The motor M has a pinion I64 on its shaft meshing with a gear I66 on a crankshaft I68. The crankshaft I68 has a crank disc I I6 from which a crank pin II2 extends, and the entering a cylinder H8 so that there is an air cushion space indicated at I26. The cylinder II8 constitutes a hammer for. imparting impact blows to the impact rod 56b and is mounted in a liner sleeve I22 of the impact device B.

Practical operation In the operation of my vibrating attachment for earth mover blades, when the scraper is digging and it is desirable to facilitate the digging operation and the movement of the earth into the scraper bowl, the impact mechanism A of Fig. 6 may be energized by supplying compressed air thereto, and will result in impact blows being delivered from the hammer 62 to the impact rod 56. The pressure of the earth tends to keep the rod 56 in its rearward position with stop flanges I24 engaging the angle bars 56 to limit the rearward movement. When the mechanism A operates it swings the cutting edge 32 forwardly and upwardly, as to the dotted position, with a frequency of anywhere from five hundred to one thousand vibrations per minute. This reyoke rod H4. The rod II4 has a plunger H6 suits in a rooting action as well as a vibrating action, which causes the cutting edge to be constantly vibrated during the digging period, thus loosening the material ahead of it, and greatly reducing the required pulling effort for the scraper. The vibrating action keeps the material entering the bowl alive so that it more readily flows into the bowl or boils to thereby fill the bowl with much less tractor efiort than when operating upon dead earth. Normally, in loading'a conventional scraper a pusher tractor is required in addition to the pulling tractor to secure heaped loads within the scraper bowl because the resistance at the cutting edge becomes greater than can be handled by the pull of a single tractor. With my device I have found that the bowl can be filled to overflowing when a single tractor is used, whereas two were required before, and the improved filling action is a direct resultant of vibrating the leading edge or cutting edge of the scraper bowl. Both the rooting action of Fig. 6 and the parallel action of Fig. 8 are effective to accomplish the desired results, and the vibrations may be imparted from pneumatic or electric units, or units of any type which will produce vibration, and, preferably, an impact type of vibration.

The vibrating units are readily accommodated in the space below a scraper blade when of relatively small size and arranged in sections as disclosed. They may be readily serviced by arranging the cover plates 83 as disclosed So that access can be had thereto from within the scraper bowl. The cover plate also permits ready removal and replacement of the impact units. With the electric type the motor is conveniently mounted behind the-scraper bowl, as there is not clearance enough under the bowl to accommodate the motor. This arrangement provides for ready access to the motor and its associated mechanism from the rear-- of the scraper bowl. The impact action provided in connection with the motor M is readily adjustable by adjusting the motor toward or away from the impact rod 561). This is readily accomplished by the use of shims I26 interposed between the frame of the impact mechanism B and mounting lugs I28 which form part of side plates I36 for a compartment I32 in which the mechanism B is mounted. Screws I34 extend through the shims, and the bottom of the mechanism B is mounted in position by the bolts I36. Holes for these bolts may be slotted to accommodate the adjustment just described.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope without sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an earth mover, an earth receiving plate, a cutting edge member defining the advance edge of said plate, said cutting edge member being pivoted relative to said plate, an impact element pivoted to said cutting member below the pivot of the cutting member to the plate, and pneumatic means for operating said impact element.

2. In an earth mover, an earth receiving plate, a cutting edge member defining the advance edge of said plate, and pivoted thereto, a rod pivoted to said cutting member below the pivot of the cutting member to the plate, and electric means for operating said rod to vibrate said cutting member, said electric means including air cushiomng mechanism.

3. In an earth mover, an earth receiving plate, a cutting edge member defining one side of said plate, said cutting edge member being pivoted relative to said plate, an impact element pivoted to said cutting member below the pivot of the cutting member to the plate, and means for operating said impact element and including an air cushioning device.

4. In a device of the class described, an earth receiving plate, a cutting edge defining the advance side thereof, parallelogram links for pivoting said cutting edge to said plate for movement in substantially the plane of the plate, and impact means supported beneath said plate for imparting vibration to said cutting member.

5. In an earth mover, a scraper bowl including a bottom wall providing an earth receiving plate, a plurality of cutting members having their cutting edges extending forwardly and below said bottom wall, supporting means for said cutting members, said supporting means aflfording limited reciprocating arcuate movement of said cutting edges independently of said bottom wall and means for imparting motion to said cutting members to effect said reciprocating arcuate movement, said last means being disposed below and adjacent to said bottom wall.

6. In an earth mover, a scraper bowl including a bottom wall providing an earth receiving plate, a plurality of cutting members having their cutting edges extending forwardly and below said' bottom wall, supporting means for said cutting members, said supporting means affording limited reciprocating arcuate movement of said cutting edges independently of said bottom walland means for imparting motion to said cutting members to efiect said reciprocating arcuate movement, said last means being disposed below and closely adjacent to said bottom wall, said earth receiving plate being stationary with respect to the earth mover and being moved toward the work by independent means.

7. In an earth mover, a scraper bowl including a bottom wall providing an earth receiving plate, a plurality of cutting members having their cutting edges extending forwardly and below said bottom wall, supporting means for said cutting mem- 6 means for imparting a rapid series of impacts to said cutting members for effecting said arcuate movement thereof into engagement with the material to be moved, said last means being disposed below and closely adjacent to said bottom wall.

8. In an earth mover, a scraper bowl including a bottom wall providing an earth receiving plate, a plurality of cutting members having their cutting edges extending forwardly and below said bottom wall, supporting means for said cutting members including carrier means for each of the cutting members and -a mounting for said carrier means affording limited reciprocating arcuate movement of said carrier means independently of said bottom wall, and means for imparting motion to said carrier means to impart said reciprocating carrier means for each of the cutting members and a mounting for said carrier means affording limited reciprocating arcuate movement thereof independently of movement of said bottom wall, and means for imparting motion to said carrier means to impart said reciprocating arcuate motion to said cutting members, said last means being disposed below and adjacent to said bottom wall, said carrier means and cutting members sloping forwardly and downwardly from said bottom wall.

10. In an earth mover, a scraper bowl including a bottom wall providing an earth receiving plate, a plurality of cutting members having their cutting edges extending, forwardly and belowsaid bottom wall, supporting means for said cutting members, said supporting means affording limited reciprocating arcuate movement of said cutting edges independently of said bottom wall and means for imparting motion to said cutting membersto efiect said reciprocating arcuate movement, said motion imparting means comprising a pneumatic hammer housed below said bottom wall and including a rod connected to said cutting members positioned to be struck by said hammer.

.11. In an earth mover, a scraper bowl including a bottom wall providing an earth receiving plate, a plurality of cutting members having their cutting edges extending forwardly and below said bottom wall, supporting means for said cutting members, said supporting means aifording limited reciprocating arcuate movement of said cutting edges independently of said bottom wall and means for imparting motion to said cutting members to efiect said reciprocating arcuate movement, said motion imparting means comprising an electric motor provided with gears, a hammer, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said hammer and a rod connected to said cutting members and being positioned to be struck by said hammer.

12. In an earth mover, a scraper bowl including a bottom wall providing an earth receiving plate, a plurality of cutting members having their cutting edges extending forwardly and below said bottom wall, supporting means for each of the cutting members including carrier means for each of said cutting members and amounting for bers affording arcuate movement thereof and said carrier means aflording limited reciprocating arcuate movement of said carrier means independently of said bottom wall and means for imparting motion to said carrier means to impart said reciprocating arcuate motion to said cutting members, said last means being disposed below and adjacent to said bottom wall.

13. In an earth mover, a scraper bowl including a bottom wall providing an earth receiving plate, a plurality of cutting members having their cutting edges extending forwardly and below said bottom wall, supporting means for said cutting members including carrier means for each of the cutting members and a mounting for said carrier means affording limited reciprocating arcuate movement thereof independently of said bottom wall and means for imparting motion to said carrier' means to impart said reciprocating arcuate motion to said cutting members, said mounting including a hinged connection between a forward portion of the bottom wall and said carrier means,

said motion imparting means being disposed below and adjacent to said bottom wall.

EILSWOBTH W. AUSTIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,000,337 Leyner et a1. Aug. 8, 1911 1,768,657 Baker July 1, 1930 1,855,998 Shannon Apr. 26, 1932 15 2,228,445 De Velbiss Jan. 14, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Germany Nov, 20, 1934 

